The Indiana Pacers opened their 2026-27 NBA regular season with a thrilling 123-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on October 21, 2026. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points, while Tyrese Haliburton delivered an impressive 23 points and 12 assists in his first regular-season appearance since rupturing his right Achilles tendon 16 months ago.
The Pacers vs Pelicans matchup at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans featured an intense battle that went down to the final moments. Despite strong performances from Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans could not overcome Indiana’s fourth-quarter surge.
Indiana improved to 1-0 in the opening game of its season, while New Orleans dropped to 0-1 after a competitive home performance.
Pacers vs Pelicans Final Score
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-120. Indiana built an early advantage, faced a strong second-quarter response from New Orleans, and ultimately finished the game with a decisive fourth-quarter performance.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 38 | 18 | 30 | 37 | 123 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 31 | 35 | 26 | 28 | 120 |
The Pacers started strongly by scoring 38 points in the opening quarter. However, the Pelicans responded with 35 points in the second period to take control of the momentum.
Indiana regained its rhythm after halftime and scored 37 points in the fourth quarter to secure the three-point win.
Pascal Siakam Leads Indiana With 30 Points
Pascal Siakam was the standout performer in the Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans game. The Indiana forward finished with 30 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field, adding eight rebounds and one steal.
Siakam was particularly important in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points to help Indiana hold off New Orleans. His scoring efficiency and ability to deliver under pressure proved decisive in a closely contested season opener.
Tyrese Haliburton also made a significant impact in his return to regular-season action. He recorded 23 points and 12 assists while shooting 8-of-15 from the field. His playmaking helped Indiana create scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
Andrew Nembhard contributed 18 points and nine assists, while Ivica Zubac recorded 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Obi Toppin added 20 points off the bench, giving Indiana another important scoring option.
The Pacers’ balanced offense helped them overcome New Orleans despite finishing with fewer rebounds.
Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats
The following table highlights the leading performers from both teams in the October 21 matchup.
Indiana Pacers Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 30 | 8 | 1 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 23 | 2 | 12 |
| Obi Toppin | 20 | 3 | 1 |
| Andrew Nembhard | 18 | 2 | 9 |
| Ivica Zubac | 16 | 15 | 0 |
| Quenton Jackson | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Indiana finished with 47 field goals on 90 attempts, shooting 52.2% from the floor. The team made nine three-pointers and converted 20 of 29 free throws.
Haliburton’s 12 assists were especially valuable in his return, while Zubac controlled the interior with 15 rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dejounte Murray | 23 | 3 | 7 |
| Zion Williamson | 22 | 3 | 3 |
| Yves Missi | 13 | 14 | 5 |
| Saddiq Bey | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| Trey Murphy III | 11 | 4 | 1 |
| Derik Queen | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Herbert Jones | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Jordan Poole | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 23 points and seven assists. Zion Williamson added 22 points, while Yves Missi recorded 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Derik Queen also produced a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Pelicans struggled to match Indiana’s overall shooting efficiency during the closing stages.
Why the Pacers Beat the Pelicans
Indiana’s shooting efficiency was one of the biggest differences in the game. The Pacers converted 52.2% of their field-goal attempts, compared with 42.7% for New Orleans.
The Pelicans had an advantage on the boards, collecting 49 rebounds against Indiana’s 43. They also made 10 three-pointers, one more than the Pacers.
However, Indiana’s offense was more effective inside the arc and generated consistent scoring opportunities through Siakam, Haliburton, Nembhard and Toppin.
Free throws were another important factor. New Orleans converted 34 of 37 attempts, while Indiana made 20 of 29. Despite the Pelicans’ advantage at the line, the Pacers’ superior field-goal percentage helped them finish ahead.
Indiana committed 13 turnovers compared with New Orleans’ 14, keeping possession mistakes relatively close between the teams.
Tyrese Haliburton Makes a Strong Return
Haliburton’s performance was one of the major storylines of the season opener. Returning to regular-season competition after a lengthy recovery from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the Pacers guard finished with 23 points and 12 assists.
His ability to score and distribute the ball provided Indiana with an important offensive boost. Haliburton connected on eight of his 15 field-goal attempts and made five of five free throws.
Although he recorded three turnovers, his playmaking helped the Pacers maintain their offensive rhythm in a game where every possession mattered.
His return could be a significant storyline throughout the 2026-27 NBA season as Indiana looks to build on its competitive performances.
New Orleans Pelicans Fall Short Despite Murray and Williamson
The Pelicans had several strong individual performances but could not complete the comeback.
Murray led the team in scoring with 23 points and added seven assists. Williamson finished with 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including two three-pointers.
Missi was effective around the basket, shooting five of six from the field and collecting 14 rebounds. His seven offensive rebounds gave New Orleans additional opportunities, but the team struggled to turn those chances into enough points.
The Pelicans also received 13 points from both Missi and Saddiq Bey. Nevertheless, their 42.7% shooting from the field left them short of Indiana’s offensive production.
New Orleans will look to improve its execution in upcoming games, particularly when defending efficient teams that can score from multiple positions.
Pacers vs Pelicans: Where to Watch
Fans looking for where to watch Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans can check NBA League Pass and the teams’ official broadcast listings.
For the October 21, 2026, matchup, the listed viewing options included:
- NBA League Pass
- GCSEN, subject to regional availability
- Official New Orleans Pelicans coverage and listings
The game was played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with an announced attendance of 17,232.
Because this game has already concluded, viewers looking for a replay should check NBA League Pass for available game footage and highlights.
NBA Scores and Other Matchups to Follow
The opening-day results provide an early look at the 2026-27 NBA season. Basketball fans following the Pacers score may also be checking other results, including the Timberwolves score, Heat score and games involving teams across the Western Conference.
Searches for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat, often written as min vs mia or wolves heat, are separate from the Pacers-Pelicans matchup. Fans tracking these teams should consult the official NBA schedule for their respective results and upcoming games.
Similarly, searches for Jazz vs Grizzlies and Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies match player stats relate to another Western Conference matchup. The same applies to the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers, where fans may look for sacramento kings vs LA Clippers match player stats or LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings match player stats.
These are separate games, and their scores and player statistics should be checked independently rather than confused with the Indiana-New Orleans result.
Fans searching for NBA games tomorrow should consult the official NBA schedule for the latest dates, tipoff times and broadcast information.
What Is Next for the Pacers and Pelicans?
Indiana will take confidence from its opening victory, particularly the contributions of Siakam, Haliburton, Nembhard, Zubac and Toppin. The combination of efficient shooting and several reliable scoring options gives the Pacers a positive foundation for the season.
For New Orleans, the narrow defeat offers some encouraging signs. Murray and Williamson provided strong scoring, while Missi delivered an effective performance on the boards. Improving overall shooting efficiency and sustaining defensive pressure will be important in the next game.
The teams are also scheduled to meet again in Indiana, according to the supplied matchup listing, giving the Pelicans an opportunity to respond.
Final Takeaway
The Pacers vs Pelicans game delivered an exciting start to the 2026-27 NBA season, with Indiana earning a 123-120 road victory. Pascal Siakam’s 30 points led the way, while Tyrese Haliburton celebrated his return with 23 points and 12 assists.
New Orleans received strong performances from Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson and Yves Missi but could not overcome Indiana’s efficient shooting and fourth-quarter scoring.
The result gives the Pacers an early win and leaves the Pelicans looking to bounce back in their next matchup.
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